A 41-year-old member asked:
what works to use on sore muscles to make them not so sore?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Geoffrey Higgs answered
Orthopedic Surgery 33 years experience
Rest First: Assuming that the sore muscles are a result of exercise, i would recommend the following. First, appropriate rest. Once the pain is resolved a progressive stretching program. Then finally a graduated exercise program that does not cause pain and includes the necessary periods of rest for adequate muscle recovery.
5196 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 18-year-old member asked:
How do you heal sore muscles?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Frank Holmes answered
Sports Medicine 23 years experience
Time!: Sore muscles, especially those from a hard workout or a new strenuous activity, simply recover on their own. Soreness should resolve within 3-4 days. Hydrating well, applying ice and/or heat for 20 minutes 2-3x/day and resting the muscles until the soreness has significantly reduced should suffice for most. Nsaids like advil or Aleve (naproxen) can be used for a few days to alleviate the soreness.
6100 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Is heat or cold better to treat sore muscles?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Francine Yep answered
Family Medicine 31 years experience
Cold 1st week: During your first week of injury, cold's better. After your first week, you pick which feels better for you: cold or hot.
6086 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Whats good for sore muscles?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Karla Groves answered
Family Medicine 16 years experience
Heat and massage: A warm bath and or heating pad will soothe your strained muscles. Gentle massage will promote healing. Be sure to drink lots of water (up to 64oz a day) to flush toxins away as well.
6078 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old member asked:
What to put on sore muscles?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Goldman answered
Rheumatology 55 years experience
Depends why sore: Muscle can be sore for a variety of reasons. It overuse ice and heat can be used. There are a variety of topical analgesics which you can get over the counter (otc) and by prescription. You first need a correct diagnosis to be certain the muscle soreness is not due to a systemic problem invovling the muscles, like myositis and vasculitis, as these can be serious and need definition.
5810 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Do you place a warm or cold compress on sore muscles?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Lemme answered
Family Medicine 35 years experience
Depends: Cold to decrease pain and swelling, heat to improve flexibility and blood flow to speed healing. Use ice for the first day or two after an acute injury, then heat later.
5724 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated May 29, 2016
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